Cover assembly

ABSTRACT

The present application provides a cover assembly having a frame and a cover removably connected to the frame. The cover is sealed to the frame by a sealing device, and the cover is removably connected to the frame by fasteners without interfering with the seal to prevent leakage through the area around the fasteners. The frame and cover each also have a plurality of alignment indicators that are aligned with one another to assist an operator in securing the cover to the frame.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/289,526 Oct. 10, 2016, which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a cover assembly, and moreparticularly to a manhole cover assembly for a manhole.

BACKGROUND

Removable covers are used to cover a manhole to keep unauthorizedpersons and materials out of a public utility access, such as for water,gas, sewer, and electric industries, and to minimize accidents andinjuries resulting from the placement of manholes. The covers can bemade from cast iron, concrete, or a combination thereof. These manholecovers are subject to theft, and injuries are caused to workers stemmingfrom the weight and difficulty related to the moving and transporting ofthe manhole covers.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present application provides a cover assembly having a frame and acover removably connected to the frame. The cover is sealed to the frameby a sealing device, and the cover is removably connected to the frameby fasteners without interfering with the seal to prevent leakagethrough the area around the fasteners. The frame and cover each alsohave a plurality of alignment indicators that are aligned with oneanother to assist an operator in securing the cover to the frame.

According to one embodiment, a cover assembly is provided that includesa frame including a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, anouter surface, and an inner surface defining a through passage, and alip extending inward or outward from the inner surface around acircumference of the inner surface, the lip having an upper surfacedefining a circumferential groove, a sealing device disposed within thegroove, and a cover configured to be removably connected to the frame,wherein a lower surface of the cover is configured to abut the uppersurface of the lip and seal to the frame via the sealing device, whereinthe cover is configured to be removably connected to the frame withoutinterfering with the seal.

According to another embodiment, a cover assembly is provided thatincludes a frame including a body having an upper surface with aplurality of circumferentially spaced body alignment indicators, a lowersurface, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a throughpassage, and a lip extending inward or outward from the inner surfacearound a circumference of the inner surface and including a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced openings in its upper surface respectivelyaligned with one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced bodyalignment indicators, and a cover configured to be removably connectedto the frame, the cover having an upper surface with a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced cover alignment indicators, a lower surfaceconfigured to abut the upper surface of the lip, and a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced openings respectively aligned with one of theplurality of circumferentially spaced cover alignment indicators andextending through the cover, wherein each of the cover alignmentindicators is configured to be aligned with one of the body alignmentindicators to align the openings in the cover with the openings in thelip. According to still another embodiment, a cover assembly is providedthat includes a frame having a body having an upper surface with aplurality of circumferentially spaced body alignment indicators, a lowersurface, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a throughpassage, a lip extending inward or outward from the inner surface arounda circumference of the inner surface, the lip having an upper surfacedefining a circumferential groove, a sealing device disposed within thegroove, and a cover configured to be removably connected to the frame,the cover having an upper surface with a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced cover alignment indicators and a lower surface configured to abutthe upper surface of the lip, wherein each of the alignment indicatorson the cover is configured to be aligned with one of the alignmentindicators on the body.

The foregoing and other features of the application are described belowwith reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary cover assembly.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the cover assembly.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the cover assembly.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cover assembly.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the cover assembly.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the cover assembly.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a frame of the cover assembly.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the frame.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the frame with a sealing devicedisposed in a seal groove.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a cover of the cover assembly.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the sealing device.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of another exemplary cover assembly.

FIG. 13 is a top view of another exemplary cover assembly.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken about line 14-14 in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of detail 15 in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principles of the present application relate to a cover assembly forcovering an opening, such as a manhole cover assembly for covering amanhole, for example of a sanitary sewer or storm sewer and thus will bedescribed below in this context. It will be appreciated that theprinciples of the application may be applicable to other covers, such asmeter box covers, electrical box covers, gas covers, television covers,steam covers, etc.

Turning initially to FIGS. 1-6, an exemplary cover assembly isillustrated generally at reference numeral 10. The cover assembly 10 maybe provided for covering a manhole, such as a manhole in a road, to keepunauthorized persons and materials out of a sewer. The cover assembly 10includes a frame 12 that is secured to the manhole and a cover 14 thatis removably connected to the frame 12. The frame 12 and cover 14 may bemade of any suitable material, such as a corrosion resistant polymerthat allows for the transmission of wireless signals to pass through thecover 14. The polymer frame 12 and cover 14 weigh less than a comparablecast iron frame and cover, such as one third of the weight of thecomparable cast iron frame and cover, to reduce back and hand injuries.The cover assembly 10 has a load rating of at least 20,000 pounds, andin an embodiment, the load rating is greater than 50,000 pounds.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, the frame 12 includes a body 20 having anupper surface 22, a lower surface 24, an outer surface 26, and an innersurface 28 defining a through passage 30, and a lip 32 extending inwardfrom the inner surface 28 around a circumference of the inner surface28. The lip 32 is perpendicular to the inner surface 28 and spaced belowthe upper surface 22 of the body 20 and configured to be abutted by thecover 14 such that the cover is substantially flush with the uppersurface 22. The lip 32 includes a main body portion 34 extending inwardfrom the inner surface 28 and a plurality of circumferentially spacedlobes 36 extending inward from the main body portion 34. In theillustrated embodiment the lip 32 includes four lobes 36 equally spacedfrom one another, although it will be appreciated that any suitablenumber of lobes may be provided in any suitable orientation, and in anembodiment the lobes may extend inward from the main body portion. Belowthe lip 32 is one or more supports 38, and in the illustrated embodimenta plurality of circumferentially spaced supports that abut a lowersurface of the lip and the inner surface 28 of the body to support thelip 32.

A circumferential seal groove 40 extends around an upper surface 42 ofthe lip 32 spaced from the inner surface 28 of the body 20 such that thecircumferential groove 40 extends inward with the lobes 36. Thisarrangement forms securement areas 44 on the upper surface 42 of the lip32 between the circumferential groove 40 and the inner surface 28 of thebody 20. An opening 46 is formed in each of the securement areas 44 forreceiving a fastener to removably connect the cover 14 to the frame 12as will be discussed in detail below. The openings 46 are shownextending into the lip 32 but not through the lip 32 to preventinfiltration of unwanted substances, such as fluid, from passing throughthe openings 46 into the sewer. The plurality of circumferentiallyspaced lobes 36 extend inward to provide space for the securement areas44 but extend inward a distance that would not interfere with a userwhen the user accesses the manhole.

To prevent infiltration of unwanted substances between the cover 14 andthe frame 12, a sealing device 48, such as a suitable seal shown inFIGS. 9 and 11 is disposed within the seal groove 40. The seal 48 may bea continuous seal having the same geometry as the seal groove 40, suchas a clover shape as shown. When the cover 14 abuts the upper surface 42of the lip 32, the weight of the cover 14 compresses the seal 48 tocreate a seal between the cover 14 and the frame 12. Additionally oralternatively, when the cover 14 is coupled to the frame 12, the seal isfurther compressed. By positioning the openings 46 in the securementareas 44 outwardly spaced from the seal 48, the cover 14 can be sealedto the frame 12 and coupled to the frame 12 without interfering with theseal created.

The body 20 additionally includes one or more alignment indicators 60,and in the illustrated embodiment a plurality of alignment indicators 60on the upper surface 22 of the body 20. The alignment indicators 60 arecircumferentially spaced around the upper surface 22, and asillustrated, equally spaced. Each alignment indicator 60 is aligned withone of the openings 46 along a line parallel to a plane of the uppersurface 22. As illustrated, each alignment indicator 60 is adjacent oneof the openings 46 and vertically spaced from the respective opening 46.The alignment indicators 60 are shown as indentations in the uppersurface 22 of the body 20, although it will be appreciated that thealignment indicators 60 may be any suitable indicator, such as a line, ageometric shape, a raised portion, etc.

The frame 12 may also include a flange 62 extending around the outersurface 22 of the body 20 and defining the lower surface 24 of the body20. The flange 62 includes one or more slots 64, and in the illustratedembodiment a pair of slots 64 on opposite sides of the body 20 foranchoring the frame 12 to the manhole. The slots 64 may receive asuitable fastener, such as a bolt, stake, etc., and may be any suitableshape. A plurality of supports 66 may be provided between the flange 62and the outer surface 26 of the body 20 for supporting the assembly 10when weight is applied.

Turning now to FIG. 10 in addition to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 14includes an upper surface 70 and a lower surface 72 configured to abutthe upper surface 42 of the lip 32 such that the upper surface 70 of thecover 14 is substantially flush with the upper surface 22 of the frame12. The upper surface 70 of the cover 14 may have any suitable finish,such as a textured finish over some or all of the surface to provide forincreased traction, and may additionally include areas for indicia, forexample area 74 identifying the usage of the cover assembly 10, such assanitary sewer.

The cover includes a first depression 76 in the upper surface 70. A pickbar 78, which may be any suitable material, such as steel, and which maybe any suitable shape, such as rectangular, is secured to the uppersurface 70 of the cover 14 above the depression 76. In the illustratedembodiment, the pick bar 78 is disposed in a second depression 80perpendicular to the first depression such that an upper surface 82 ofthe pick bar 78 is substantially flush with the upper surface 70 of thecover 14. The pick bar 78 is secured in the second depression 80 in anysuitable manner, such as by a plurality of fasteners 84 that extendthrough openings in the pick bar and into openings in the seconddepression 80. When secured to the cover 14, the pick bar 78 forms withthe first depression 76 an area for receiving a tool, such as a pry baror manhole hook, to allow a user to remove the cover 14 from the frame12.

The cover 14 additionally includes a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced openings 90 extending through the cover 14 that are configured tobe aligned with the openings 46 in the lip 32 to receive fasteners 92 tosecure the cover 14 to the frame 12. In the illustrated embodiment thecover 14 includes four openings equally spaced around the cover 14,although it will be appreciated that any suitable number of openings maybe provided that have any suitable shape. The openings 90 are providednear an edge of the cover 14 and each include a counterbore forreceiving a head of one of the fasteners 92 to allow the fastener to beflush with or below the upper surface 70 of the cover 14.

Adjacent at least one of the openings 90, and in the illustratedembodiment adjacent each opening 90 is an alignment indicator 94 on theupper surface 70 of the cover 14. Each of the alignment indicators 94 isaligned with one of the openings 90 along a line parallel to a plane ofthe upper surface 70. The alignment indicators 94 are shown asindentations in the upper surface 70 of the cover 14, although it willbe appreciated that the alignment indicators 94 may be any suitableindicator, such as a line, a geometric shape, a raised portion, etc.

With continued reference to FIG. 10, the cover 14 includes one or morestuds 100 extending from the lower surface 72 for attaching a flowmonitoring, water meter radio transmitter, and/or leak detection deviceand/or other suitable device. The flow monitoring/leak detection devicemay be attached to the stud 100 by a suitable fastener, or alternativelymay be attached to a bracket that is attached to the stud. Additionallyor alternatively, the lower surface 72 of the cover 14 may include oneor more cutouts in which the flow monitoring/leak detection device maybe at least partially inserted to increase the stability of theconnection between the flow monitoring/leak detection device and thecover 14. The polymer material of the cover 14 allows the flowmonitoring/leak detection/water meter radio transmitter device towirelessly communicate a transmission to a location above ground toeliminate the need for an operator to access the flow monitoring/leakdetection device to obtain information.

The cover 14 additionally includes one or more lobe areas 102, and inthe illustrated embodiment a lobe area 102 near each opening 90. Eachlobe area 102 mates with one of the inward extending lobes 36 of the lip32 when the alignment indicators 60 of the frame 12 are aligned with thealignment indicators 94 of the cover 14 to allow the cover 14 to beseated against the lip 32. It will be appreciated that if the lobes 36extend outward, the lobe area 102 may also extend outward or the lobeand lobe areas may extend in another suitable direction. The lobe areas102 also serve to prevent rotation of the cover 14 relative to the frame12 before the fasteners 92 secure the cover 14 to the frame 12. If thealignment indicators 60 and 94 are not properly aligned, the lobes 36will not mate with the lobe areas 102 and will prevent the cover 14 fromseating against the lip 32, thereby providing an additional visualindication to the user that the cover 14 is not properly aligned withthe frame 12.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2, 8, and 9, to install the cover assembly10 over a manhole, the frame 12 is inserted over the manhole such thatthe lower surface 24, which is formed by the lower surface of the flange62, sits on the manhole. The frame 12 is then secured to the ground in asuitable manner, such as by fasteners extending through the slots 64 inthe flange 62. The frame 12 may be installed with the cover 14 securedto it or with the cover 14 removed from it.

After the frame 12 is installed, to secure the cover 14 to the frame 12,the cover 14 is lowered into the through passage 30 and rotated asneeded to align the alignment indicators 94 on the cover 14 with thealignment indicators 60 on the frame 12, thereby aligning the lobe areas102 extending from the lower surface 72 of the cover 14 with the lobes36 of the lip 32. The cover 14 is lowered until the lower surface 72 ofthe cover 14 abuts the upper surface 42 of the lip 32. When abutting thelip 32, the cover 14 compresses the sealing device 40 to create a sealbetween the cover 14 and the frame 12. The fasteners 92 are theninserted through the openings 90 and rotated or otherwise moved toengage with the openings 46 in the lip 32 to couple the cover 14 to theframe 12. By providing the openings 46 in the securement areas 44radially outwardly spaced from the sealing device 40, the cover 14 issecured to the frame 12 without affecting the seal created between thecover 14 and the frame 12, thereby preventing the infiltration ofunwanted substances into the through passage 30.

It will be appreciated that the fasteners 92 may alternatively alreadyextend through the openings 90 and in an embodiment may be held in theopenings 90 in a suitable manner.

If the alignment indicators 94 are not aligned with the alignmentindicators 60, and thus the upper surface 70 of the cover 14 is notsubstantially flush with the upper surface 22 of the body 20, the cover14 is rotated, for example using a tool that engages the pick bar 78,until the alignment indicators 60 are aligned with the alignmentindicators 94 causing the cover 14 to fall into place. The fasteners 92then secure the cover 14 to the frame 12 as discussed above. The use ofthe alignment indicators 60 and 94 with the lobes 36 and the lobe area102 ensure that the cover 14 is properly aligned with the frame 12,thereby ensuring the cover 14 is sealed to the frame 12 and ensuring theopenings 46 and 90 are aligned when the openings 46 are not visible.

To remove the cover 14 from the frame 12, the fasteners 92 are loosenedand removed from the openings 46 in the lip 32. The fasteners 92 maythen be removed from the cover 14 or be retained in the cover 14, suchas by a C-clip or other suitable retainer secured to the bottom of eachfastener 92. The user then engages the pick bar 78 with the tool andmoves the cover 14 away from the frame 12 to allow a user access to themanhole.

Turning now to FIG. 12, an exemplary embodiment of the cover assembly isshown at 110. The cover assembly 110 is substantially the same as theabove-referenced cover assembly 10, and consequently the same referencenumerals but indexed by 100 are used to denote structures correspondingto similar structures in the cover assemblies. In addition, theforegoing description of the cover assembly 10 is equally applicable tothe cover assembly 110 except as noted below.

The cover assembly 110 includes a frame 112 that is secured to themanhole and a cover 114 that is removably connected to the frame 112.The frame 112 includes a body 120 having an upper surface 122, a lowersurface, an outer surface 126, and an inner surface 128 defining athrough passage 130, and a lip 132 extending inward from the innersurface 128 around a circumference of the inner surface 128. The lip 132includes a main body portion 134 extending inward from the inner surface128 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes 136 extendingoutward from the main body portion 134. In the illustrated embodimentthe inner and outer surfaces 128 and 126 extend outwardly at definedpositions to define the lobes 136 and form an area for receiving lobes206 of the cover 114. It will be appreciated that the main body portionmay extend outward or alternatively the frame 112 may include outwardlyextending lobes extending outward from the upper surface 122. Acircumferential seal groove 140 for receiving a seal extends around anupper surface 142 of the lip 132 spaced from the inner surface 128 ofthe body 120 such that the circumferential groove 140 extends inwardfrom the openings 146. The cover 114 includes a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced openings 190 extending through the cover 114that are configured to be aligned with the openings 146 in the lip 132to receive respective fasteners, one of which is shown with a retainer.The cover 114 also includes the plurality of circumferentially spacedlobes 206 extending outward from an outer periphery of the cover 114.The openings 190 may extend through or partially extend through thelobes 206. When the cover 114 is lowered onto the frame 112, the lobes206 are aligned with and received in the corresponding areas.

Turning now to FIGS. 13-15, an exemplary embodiment of the coverassembly is shown at 210. The cover assembly 210 is substantially thesame as the above-referenced cover assembly 110, and consequently thesame reference numerals but indexed by 100 are used to denote structurescorresponding to similar structures in the cover assemblies. Inaddition, the foregoing description of the cover assembly 110 is equallyapplicable to the cover assembly 210 except as noted below.

The cover assembly 210 includes a frame 212 that is secured to themanhole and a cover 214 that is removably connected to the frame 212.The frame 212 includes a body 220 having an upper surface 222, a lowersurface 224, an outer surface 226, and an inner surface 228 defining athrough passage 230, and a lip 232 extending inward from the innersurface 228 around a circumference of the inner surface 228. The lip 132includes a main body portion 134 extending inward from the inner surface128 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes extending outwardfrom the main body portion 134. In the illustrated embodiment the innerand outer surfaces 228 and 226 extend outwardly at defined positions todefine the lobes and form an area for receiving lobes 306 of the cover214. A circumferential seal groove 240 for receiving a seal 248 extendsaround an upper surface of the lip 232 spaced from the inner surface 228of the body 220.

The cover 214 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings290 extending through the cover 214 to receive respective fasteners,such as paddle lock 298 and the plurality of circumferentially spacedlobes 306 extending outward from an outer periphery of the cover 214.The openings 290 are circumferentially spaced from the lobes 306. Whenthe cover 214 is lowered onto the frame 212, the lobes 306 are alignedwith and received in the corresponding areas.

It will be appreciated that the frame and cover and other components ofthe cover assembly may be any suitable shape, such as circular, square,rectangular, oval shaped, polygonal, etc., and the use of the wordcircumference or circumferentially is used to define a boundary of theshape.

Although certain embodiments have been shown and described, it isunderstood that equivalents and modifications falling within the scopeof the appended claims will occur to others who are skilled in the artupon the reading and understanding of this specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cover assembly comprising: a frame including: abody having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and aninner surface defining a through passage; and a lip extending inwardfrom the inner surface around a circumference of the inner surface, thelip having a main body portion and a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced frame lobes or frame lobe receiving areas extending from the mainbody portion; and a cover configured to be removably connected to theframe, the covering having an upper surface, a lower surface configuredto abut the lip, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced cover lobesor cover lobe receiving areas, wherein the plurality ofcircumferentially spaced frame lobes or cover lobes align and mate witha corresponding one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced coverlobe receiving areas or frame lobe receiving areas to seat the coveragainst the lip.
 2. The cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein thelip includes the plurality of circumferentially spaced frame lobereceiving areas and the cover includes the plurality ofcircumferentially spaced cover lobes.
 3. The cover assembly according toclaim 2, wherein the plurality of circumferentially spaced cover lobesextend outward from an outer periphery of the cover.
 4. The coverassembly according to claim 2, wherein the inner and outer surfaces ofthe body extend outward at defined positions to define thecircumferentially spaced frame lobe receiving areas.
 5. The coverassembly according to claim 1, wherein the lip includes the plurality ofcircumferentially spaced frame lobes and the cover includes theplurality of circumferentially spaced cover lobe receiving areas.
 6. Thecover assembly according to claim 5, wherein the plurality ofcircumferentially spaced frame lobes extend inward from the main bodyportion.
 7. The cover assembly according to claim 5, wherein the coverlobe receiving areas extend from the lower surface of the cover.
 8. Thecover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lip has an uppersurface defining a circumferential groove, and wherein the coverassembly further includes a sealing device disposed within the groove.9. The cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover isremovably connected to the frame without interfering with the seal. 10.The cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes oneor more studs extending from the lower surface for attaching amonitoring/detection device.
 11. The cover assembly according to claim1, wherein the frame further includes a flange extending around theouter surface of the body, the flange having one or more slots foranchoring the frame to a manhole.
 12. The cover assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the cover includes a depression in the upper surfaceand the assembly further includes a pick bar secured to the uppersurface of the cover above the depression, and wherein thedepression/pick bar form an area for receiving a tool to allow a user toremove the cover from the frame.
 13. The cover assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the body includes a plurality of alignment indicatorson its upper surface, wherein the cover includes a plurality ofalignment indicators on its upper surface, and wherein each of thealignment indicators on the cover is configured to be aligned with oneof the alignment indicators on the body.
 14. A cover assemblycomprising: a frame including: a body having an upper surface, a lowersurface, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a throughpassage; and a lip extending inward from the inner surface around acircumference of the inner surface, the lip having a main body portionand a plurality of circumferentially spaced frame lobe receiving areasextending outward from the main body portion; and a cover configured tobe removably connected to the frame, the covering having an uppersurface, a lower surface configured to abut the lip, and a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced cover lobes extending outward from an outerperiphery of the cover and configured to align and mate with acorresponding one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced framelobe receiving areas to seat the cover against the lip.
 15. The coverassembly according to claim 14, wherein the inner and outer surfaces ofthe body extend outward at defined positions to define thecircumferentially spaced frame lobe receiving areas.
 16. The coverassembly according to claim 14, wherein the lip has an upper surfacedefining a circumferential groove, and wherein the cover assemblyfurther includes a sealing device disposed within the groove.
 17. Thecover assembly according to claim 16, wherein the circumferential grooveis radially inwardly spaced from the plurality of circumferentiallyspaced frame lobe receiving areas.
 18. The cover assembly according toclaim 14, wherein the cover is removably connected to the frame withoutinterfering with the seal.
 19. A cover assembly comprising: a frameincluding: a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outersurface, and an inner surface defining a through passage; and a lipextending inward from the inner surface around a circumference of theinner surface, the lip having a main body portion extending inward fromthe inner surface, a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes or lobereceiving areas extending inward or outward respectively from the mainbody portion, and a circumferential groove that extends around the mainbody portion; a sealing device disposed within the groove; and a coverconfigured to be removably connected to the frame, wherein a lowersurface of the cover is configured to abut the upper surface of the lipand seal to the frame via the sealing device, wherein the cover isconfigured to be removably connected to the frame without interferingwith the seal.
 20. The cover assembly according to claim 19, wherein thelip includes the plurality of circumferentially spaced lobe receivingareas and the cover includes a plurality of circumferentially spacedcover lobes to align and mate with a corresponding one of the pluralityof circumferentially spaced lobe receiving areas.